53 plate Xsara Picasso SX Computer Stalk

[TheOtherPablo]

Hi people hope everyone is well.

I have a 53 plate Xsara Picasso SX, interesting vehicle.

I've had an issue that has been gradually getting worse and this evening it came to a head.

The on the wiper stalk there is a button to change between which information is shown on the screen. This has been getting more and more difficult to use, needing multiple presses to change anything.

Went to fill up the car with fuel and when I went to reset the trip meter, it's stopped working completely, stuck on the highly irritating "overspeed inactive warning'

Well this evening, admittedly in a bit of rage, I pulled it off. The end came off pulling a ribbon with it. Of course this now means that the button and rear wiper no longer operate.

Looking on Euro Car Parts, it's nearly £300 for a new assembly (not happening) ebay has some much cheaper options.

On a scale of 1 to 10 how buggered am I?

Thanks for any advice peeps

[GiveMeABreak]

You can get them cheaper than that either refurbished or new.

These units are quite expensive because it is part of the Comms unit in the steering wheel that handles a lot of the functions like the lighting wipers wash, audio controls and other functions.

There are literally hundreds of different versions, so is important you get the right one for your specific vehicle with your specific options.

Post up your VIN and I’ll get you the correct part number and a link to a supplier of these.

[picassodad]

Well whata you know, lad has similar car, problem and temper.

I presume this stalk has a micro switch inside it, hence the ribbon cable. It may have been caked up with crap, dirt and body oils thru lack of cleaning perhaps?

I bit it might be fixable to some extent ?

IO hope this fault does not prevent the car from being used and the petrol gauge still works, if not so, your walking......

[GiveMeABreak]

There are several different versions for the older Xsara and Xsara Picasso - the designs changing over the years. Some had a rocker switch on the end of the barrel - others a push button. Some can be repaired easier than others - but the actual tracks on the PCBs can wear out with use where the indicator and wiper stalks pass over the contacts repeatedly. Other failures are the boards themselves that can just cause odd behaviour with the headlights switching on and off or in some cases can cause the complete shutdown of the dashboard lighting (as happened on my MK I C5).

Taking these off is not too bad a job, but extreme caution is advised for those models with a steering wheel angle sensor - as if this becomes misaligned it will need recalibrating or the ESP system / cruise / limiter functions and other features of the ESP will stop functioning until it is recalibrated.

[GiveMeABreak]

Rich - if he's having issues with the wiper stalk - then these modules are plug and play - and can be inserted as a new unit into the Comms control unit without having to replace the whole unit.

The part number is 623961: it is item 2 on the diagram:

They are made by Valeo and there is one here on the bay of evil for £80 brand new. Citroen charge £145.93, so a considerable saving. They don't need coding, but I would think twice about putting in a used one - as you have no idea if and when this will fail as many do at some point.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Steering-Colum ... 1232767228

[picassodad]

Thanks mark brill info as ever, thank you thank you thank you.